Viva, El Rey Gato!

True, the title of El Rey Gato is a bit misleading this year–given the fact that the royal feline involved is female. But tradition is tradition.

For ever-so-many Fiestas, Anna-Laura Howell Block, president of the Animal Defense League of Texas’ board of directors, has been honoring one of her ever-growing feline family with the auspicious title. This year the line of succession decreed that it was tuxedo cat Chippie’s turn to ascend to the throne. The male cats in Anna-Laura’s “court” probably hissed about the way females are taking over the world. But so what? Chippie, a kitty who is both gorgeous and deserving of the honor, can handle a little bit of jealousy with queenly–er, kingly–grace.

Actually, she’s not the first furry female to wear the crown. Her sister, Peeps, was last year’s monarch. Anna-Laura passed out many bottle-cap medals featuring Peeps’ picture as she has done with El Reys of the past. She will do the same throughout Fiesta 2012 for Chippie and has already created more than 2,000 highly collectible pins spotlighting the kitty’s likeness with a crown.

In the beginning, few would have thought that a cat like Chippie would ever rule. Anna-Laura first saw Her Royal Highness running along the frontage road of Loop 410. Peeps was with her–and the scruffy kittens’ chances for survival were slim. Indeed, they were well on their way to losing all nine lives. But Anna-Laura is a born pet rescuer. She brought her car to a sudden stop, hopped out and with the help of a couple of bystanders managed to get the furry sisters into the front seat. Anna-Laura’s mother held Peeps tight. Anna Laura clutched Chippie. The cats–clawing and scratching in fear–acted anything but royal.

It was off to the vet for both kitties. They got health exams and necessary shots. Then they went home with the brave lady who had been determined to save them.

Today, Chippie is the heiress of the kitty condo at the House of Howell Block. She also naps in royal splendor atop the highest cabinet near the window–undoubtedly watching the birds that visit her realm. Anna-Laura is understandably proud of how Chippie has blossomed and grown to assume her Fiesta duties. She’s regal from the top of her ears to the tip of her tail–a purr-fect El Rey Gato.

And why did Anna-Laura start the El Rey Gato tradition in the first place?

Well, she wanted to shine a spotlight on the plight of homeless cats (and dogs); she wanted to encourage people to respect and love all God’s creatures–especially companion animals.

“I make it a practice to always carry dog and cat food in my car,” she says. “I have become aware on a daily basis of the many animals that need to be rescued….being accountable for the rescue of ’lost animals’ is the responsibility of the entire community and not just a few.”

We say a big “VIVA” to that! And also VIVA to Chippie, this Fiesta’s El Rey Gato. P.S. Let’s give a VIVA to Anna-Laura, too.